- The Background of the Passage
- Doubtful things for Christians of the First Century
- Eating meat that had been offered to idols
- Drinking wine that had been offered to idols
- Observance of certain "Holy" Days
- Doubtful things for Christians of the Twentieth Century
- Areas of life where Scripture does not speak specifically
- Areas of life where conscience rules
- Areas of life that are influenced by cultural background
- The long list of "Christian taboos"
- "Sanka" — the Christian coffee
- "Basic H" — the Christian soap
- The Exposition of the Text
- The first attitude for all believers
- The stronger believer is to receive or welcome the weaker
- The "strong" believer has entered into the full freedom which is his birthright; He is strong in faith — Gal 5:1
- The weaker believer is to receive or welcome the stronger — Rom 14:3
- The "weaker" believer is the one who is governed by legalism and is ruled by negative restrictions that are not forbidden by Scripture
- Believers are not to argue or dispute over these matters
- We are not to make up the mind of the other person
- We must not be judgmental where Scripture is silent
- We are to welcome the other believer because God has — Rom 14:3
- The second attitude for all believers is "judge not" — Rom 14:3-4;
Col 2:16-17;
1Ti 4:3-5
- Definition of "judging" — to condemn, label, categorize, criticize
- Believers are to confront each other in the areas where Scripture speaks
- Reasons for not judging one another
- We do not have the right
- Christ is Lord
- The alone is their Master
- It does not help us or them or the Body of Christ
- Christ will uphold him
- Christ alone is able
- There is no merit in doing or abstaining — Rom 14:5-6
- The Lordship of Christ demands individual freedom — Rom 14:5
- Let every man
- Be fully convinced
- In his own mind
- General Principles
- Learn the "whole counsel of God"
- Stay away from "all appearance of evil" — 1Th 5:22
- Seek to build the faith of others